Issue 04Issue 04

20122012

02

Icon Powers/Kent Poderes - Technical Consultant The greatest hero of his Earth, and foster father of Galatea, Kent sacrificed everything, including his cousin’s trust. Now he has lost much of his powers and seeks to rebuild the trust of his teammates.

Once they represented the next generation of superhero teams… the Guardians of the dawn! They battled crime lords, corrupt government agents, and even gods and demigods. They made a difference when many believed they would not.

But while the Guardians of the Dawn are no more, several of the heroes refuse to give up the fight to make that brighter future possible. Operating on their own, they are referred to collectively as…

The Guardian Powers #04 is created using original characters in the City of Heroes Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game. Copyright

© 2004-2012 This story is an independent derivative work of the City of Heroes Game. All original rights are reserved by NCsoft and

Paragon Studios. NCSoft, the interlocking NC logo, Paragon Studios, City of Heroes, City of Villains, City of Heroes: Going Rogue, City

of Heroes Freedom and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation and Paragon

Studios. Cryptic Studios is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Captain Paragonna - Paragon City’s Superhero Policewoman The original founding member and former leader of the Guardians of the Dawn, Stevie Walker-Rodgers continues the fight for law and order, as well as bring that promise of a bright future.

BloodBlader - Smart-mouthed Assassin She is the best at whatever she puts her mind to, especially when it involves her custom blades. The problem is putting her mind to it. She’s not really loyal to Shadowborn; only to Ms. Maple.

NovaPrima - Shadowborn Hero/Rocinante Group Consultant One of the last protégées of the late Galaxy Girl, Florina Primo went from being a corporate prima donna to being a superhero in the 1990’s. She has no idea that she really works for Shadowborn.

MidKnight X - Street Vigilante Born on another world, Jason Knight literally followed his mentor’s steps from the grave into being a vigilante. He’s now a Guardian on a one-man quest for justice… and maybe some revenge.

03

Somewhere underneath Paragon City…

Who's There? Step out slowly!

“Agent Blue” Shadowborn Agent

August 1st, 2011

Whoa! Whoa! Hey, hold up, Sister… we’re all on the same side here.

Confirmation word is “Cobalt”, right?

Wrong word!

BloodBlader Shadowborn Agent

You know, I never could get the whole code-word-for-Identification thing right.

Really? You sure? Oh wait, you needed MY confirmation Word, didn’t you?

Sorry, it’s “Vivisect”.

I’m cold, wet, tired, and I haven’t had anything to eat or drink. And I couldn’t hold either of them down given the stench here.

I’ve been waiting here for twenty-four hours with no word as to who would get me out of here.

Hey, you’re singing to the choir, Blue. I was stuck here in the sewers not too long ago as well.*

Thankfully our dear den mother got me out, and now I get to do the same for you.

Hot shower, good meal, and a warm bed, and I’m told you’re going someplace very warm to hide out.

Not bad for taking down a wannabe District Attorney.**

You know, you look really different without the jacket and the blue wig.

(* “Guardians of the Dawn Spotlight” #24) (** “Guardians of the Dawn AFTERMATH”)

04

Standard operating procedure after an assassination. That’s why we wear disguises.

Ditch those and then blend in with the crowd.

But you still kept the weapon.

Hey, the Army taught me to never give up my rifle, no matter what!

I will only give up my rifle at the safehouse, when I can break it down and dispose of it safely.

Besides, the jacket and wig are designed to not leave any trace evidence behind.

Nice! So I guess that’s why Homeland Security pays you the not-so-big bucks.

Who’d thought Uncle Sam would still have in-house black-baggers? They really should have outsourced by now.

Look, don’t get me wrong, this banter is… mildly amusing… but can we please continue this over at the safehouse?

Oh, yeah, sure, I…

SQUIRREL! What?

There’s nothing back there.

It’s just a dead end.

You got that right, Sister…

Operative word

being “DEAD”!

05

“Squirrel”! Oh that’s rich! I’m surprised that trick still works!

Did you really think that there was a safehouse waiting for you?

I mean, I know you’re dead now, but, really? Really?

You messed up the assignment! The guy lived!

Well, okay, you couldn’t see what I did, but you understand what I mean!

I get results! You… you miss, and now we all suffer for it.

And now, thanks to you, we all have to go into hiding.

You see, this is why shadowborn should stick with people like me. I mean, did you see what I did to you? That was ART!

It’s done.

Huh? Okay.

I wonder what he meant by “clean up” after me? I mean there’s a crew that’s supposed to…

Oh wait… that’s me, isn’t it?

D’OH!

06

Perez Park

Icon Powers “Retired” superhero

Present Day

I’m told Perez Park used to be idyllic.

Sort of like New York City’s Central Park on my world.

But then the Rikti came here… and they dropped in something huge called the Hydra; a monster that spawned several other monsters, including the Kraken.

And now, between the Hydra and the gangs and the Vahzilok, this whole area remains a “Hazard Zone”. It’s still Beautiful

but now it’s also very deadly, even for heroes.

You can still come here and open up a shop or set up an office, or even try to live here.

Some people still try to do that.

But there’s no police to help them, and heroes coming to your rescue are few and far between.

That’s why most citizens don’t come here.

But if you can contain the gangs, if you bring enough muscle and enough equipment with you, then this area can be the perfect base of operations for certain kinds of organizations.

And forget trying to get phones or cable.

07

And this is where Lord Geddy set up shop to run his incarnation of Shadowborn.

According to Stevie, Shadowborn started out as some “Star Chamber” super-agency to go after the “untouchable” organizations.

Somewhere along the process, their goals started to get mixed up, and they started working with the criminals instead of shutting them down.

Stevie thought the group was shut down by the Federal Government.*

Only to discover it was set up all over again by Lord Geddy. (* “Spotlight” #4)

Here in Perez Park… not far from their predecessor’s base of operations.

This is as close as I dare get to their head office.

No doubt they’re already watching me.

Ms. Elle Maple Interim Shadowborn leader

No, don’t do anything yet.

As long as he doesn’t approach we won’t have to worry about him.

He knows we’re watching him.

They know that I’m not the ominous threat to their operations.

They may even know that I’m here to try to shut down that threat.

Under the guise of the “Rocinante Group”.

08

Kings Row Oh come on! Where am I going to sleep?

At least give me some change so I can use the train bathroom!

Excuse me… hi.

Did I hear you right? Did you say you were homeless?

Yeah, what’s it to ya?

They shut down the refugee shelter last week. Budget cuts, they said.

I don’t have a job, I don’t have a home, and the politicians took my welfare checks away ‘cuz I got no place to go.

I’m sorry to hear that.

So you’re from Galaxy City?

Yeah… until the Shivans destroyed it.

City said they’d help us get on our feet. Get us new jobs and new homes. Humph…

Few months later it’s “Sorry, you’re just a deadbeat now. Go curl up and die.”

Boy that just doesn’t seem right, does it?

But I think I can help you out, if you want a hand up instead of begging for a hand-out.

I’m Robert, by the way. What’s your name?

It’s Raven.

And what’s the catch? Most people don’t ask strangers out of the blue.

09

Well it’s nice to meet you, Raven.

And I happen to be in a business that helps people like you.

I’m not here to be anyone’s lab rat…

and I hope you don’t expect me to “Sleep” my way either!

“Help”? You mean like Crey does with their experiments?

No, no, nothing like that!

No, I work for a guy who’s been where you are now. Someone who is eager to show others a new way out.

“A Guy”, huh?

He go by the name “Santa Claus”?

Tell you what… we have a little meeting tonight over at the old Jester Industrial Center. You meet me there, and if you like what you hear, I’ll pay for you to stay at a hotel for a week.

Sound good?

I can understand your skepticism, Raven. You’ve been jerked around by the system, and it’s hard to believe that anyone can be willing to help you.

Yeah… okay, I guess… what time?

PNN Afternoon News with Robin Steed

And the loss of Galaxy City continues to take its toll on the rest of Paragon City as local unemployment continues to rise.

Experts pin the blame on the stalled construction projects designed to reclaim the so-called “Hazard Zones” all through Paragon City, combined with the new austerity measures imposed by the governor’s office to curb government spending.

10

Somewhere in Perez Park

Hey, are you lost, old man?

Did you escape from some retirement community?

“Retirement community”… oh that’s rich.

Haven’t heard that in, oh, the last six hours.

I’m just here to look in an on old friend of mine… you may have heard of him.

MidKnight X.

Rumor has it, he’s haunting this part of the Park. I figured a knowledgeable young man like yourself would know where so I wouldn’t just… Ramble off… and be a nuisance.

Is that supposed to be funny, gramps?

Am I supposed to laugh at your joke?

Joke’s on you, Gramps.

These kids…

11

… no respect for their elders.

Of course I don’t expect them to tell me where Jason is hiding, even if they knew.

I’m sending a message.

“Icon Powers is looking for his friend.”

And either the Skulls will let MidKnight X know this…

Or they’ll let the other people looking for him know that their search has just been joined.

Funny what you come across when you start making enough noise.

12

Meanwhile… You have your cover story straight for tonight, Agent Rodgers?

Absolutely, Lieutenant.

I’ve been around the block a few times with cover stories.

Stevie Walker-Rodgers Aka Captain Paragonna

That’s good, and, no, I won’t ask.

The D.A.’s office says the information that you collected earlier was a start*, but we need to connect that to a name, someone other than just “General income”.

(* Issue #2)

We need actual names of these “Recruiters”. We need to know who they work for.

We need the connection between that material you found and them actually convincing people to go rob banks.

The pamphlets can be excused as being fantasy. A burn phone, not so much.

The recruiter said that he’d pay for my week in a hotel if I “liked” what I heard from tonight’s meeting.

I don’t think that’s something he does for anyone else. I certainly didn’t suggest it. I was wondering if he expects anything more from me.

Maybe.

Or it could be that he’s just sweetening the pot, making it impossible for “Raven” to say no to the offer.

So… I’m expected to actually stay there a week?

To actually live there as “Raven”?

The camera in your belt buckle should record everything, and of course you have the distress word: “Cleveland”. You say that, we come running. And Then you can do your superhero thing.

If you have to, yes.

As long as he doesn’t try anything on you, you’re expected to stay undercover until you get the proof we need.

13

Was wondering how long it would take before you saw me just sitting here.

NovaPrima Shadowborn Hero

I’d ask if you’re okay, but I’m guessing you’re humoring them by not doing anything.

Well they think that I’m scared.

They assume that, because I’m not wiping the floor with them, they think they have me.

But, in truth, I’ve just been waiting for you to spot me as you made your rounds.

I hear that you’re looking for your vigilante friend.

You “heard”, huh? I wasn’t exactly quiet about that. Hey, Grandpa, get

your own Babe-on-A-Can.

This one is ours, right boys?

D@mn Straight!

I Shoulda brought my cellphone with me to shoot video!

Always wanted to be a Viral video Star!

We’re gonna have us a little four-way par-taaaay!

Okay… I guess I didn’t imagine seeing you as I passed by.

14

You ready? Please! They’re just getting annoying now.

Okay…

They don’t realize just how much power some of us have to hold back on to avoid killing them.

Of course a good thunderclap like that cuts down on needless fights.

Nice to know you’re not as “powerless” as you’ve been claiming to be, Mister Powers.

What the hell was that?

15

So now the next question is…

do you have any idea what sort of hell your “friend” has been putting us through these past few months?

I’ve heard rumors.*

And quite frankly I’m not sure they’re talking about the same person that I’ve known for the past decade.

(* Issue #2)

It’s been a challenge to get people to come here to work in a hazard zone on a daily basis. I’ve had to personally escort armored busses between the Rocinante building and the security zones. I even went toe-to-toe with the Kraken at one point…

Listen… I’ve been working with the Rocinante Group for five years now, ever since I woke up from my coma when the Rikti nuked Baumton back in 2002.

Your point being…

My point being your vigilante friend is terrorizing those employees with his little “crusade” against my bosses, and I would like

to know WHY!

I’ve seen MidKNight X at work on my home world when he would go after big corporate bosses. He doesn’t target a whole company. He only goes after the specific people responsible.

That’s bull! We have an audio recording of him threatening Lord Geddy, saying that the Guardians would, and I quote, “Take it to your office door.” *

(* An accurate quote from “Spotlight” #28)

And you interpreted that to be taking it to the company’s front door instead of Lord Geddy’s?

*Enf*… wouldn’t you?

Capes!

C’mon… git’em!

16

If you knew anything about the man, you wouldn’t.

Get the one behind you...

*ERF!* But I don’t! I don’t really know even the one friend that I have in your group.

And… *whew* Doc Tor has been missing since Galaxy City.

I think that’s the last of the gang members in here.

I know… and I’m sorry.

We’re trying to find him, to end the rumors about him.

We’re not the bad guys here. Funny… I was just

about to say the same thing about the Rocinante Group.

I’m doing this for the people that work in the group. They don’t deserve to be afraid of whatever is going on between my bosses and your friends.

Remember that. I’m here for them. Not for you or for my bosses.

Thank you, NovaPrima.

*sigh* Okay… Before I staged my little “sit-down”, I heard the Skulls talk about something at the sewer entrance near Steel Canyon that really scared them. You may want to look there.

Hey, don’t turn your ba-KKKKK…

17

I used to work hard for some corporate entity, giving it my all, sacrificing years of my life for it.

And what did I get for my loyalty?

Jack and Squat, that’s what I got, along with a letter of termination!

My name is

GENERAL INCOME! And once upon a time I used to be just like you.

I know your desperation… I feel your frustration.

We all were sold a bill of goods by the big corporations!

“Work hard”, they told us, while their senior executives went off to the golf course or to some cushy retreat.

“Sacrifice”, they would say, while they’re giving themselves raises and bonuses.

And I look out in the crowd tonight, just like I have for the past few months now, and I’ve seen the same thing over and over.

People screwed over by the system, just like I was, once.

An Abandoned Warehouse in Kings Row

That pension you were promised?

Gone.

Your Insurance coverage?

Rationed.

And all the while, they’re posting record profits!

They get the goldmine… and the rest of us got the shaft!

I am here to show you how you can become your own boss and have the big corporations work for you for a change!

But I am not here to pile onto your misery! You have all suffered enough!

Now is the time for you to shine! It’s time for you to step up and have the system work for you instead of working against you!

18

Captain Paragonna investigation notes:

2000 hours - Attended “Recovery Seminar” meeting in Jester Industrial Park.

Meeting is hosted by “General Income”, a man dressed in a green-and-gold military uniform.

There is something familiar about his voice. Where have I heard him before?

Now this is not some pyramid scheme getting you to peddle some useless junk.

I am here to show you how you can use your own talents to become something that even the biggest of corporate entities need: security!

Last year, Parthenon Industrial Incorporated over on Talos Island paid over seven million dollars to their consultants. Seven million!

Think about it: ten people that have more influence over that company than all fifty of their executive vice-presidents combined each got seven hundred thousand dollars!

You know what the most on-demand position is in corporate America? Consultants! Contractors!

Well I found out. And now I’m in a position to help those of you willing to do what it takes as well.

And just like some of you are doing now, I asked myself “How can I get in on some of that action?”

My aides, some of whom you’ve already met, will be discussing the details with you, helping you get what you need to become the new contractors that corporate America is willing to pay big money for!

But make no mistake… there is a war being waged on the working class!

And it’s time to stop being a prisoner of that war and to start rising up to take back what is yours! It’s time to exploit the corporate machine!

And when we all do that, then we can stick it to the corporate liars and thieves!

19

His speech is loaded in class warfare rhetoric.

But from those I see in attendance, maybe twenty or so people, they didn’t need much convincing.

Most are unemployed, some are homeless, like I pretend to be.

I also saw the same “Cleaners” I arrested previously, who appear to be filling out the crowd.*

thankfully they don’t seem to recognize me through my disguise.

(* Issue #2)

Turns out my “recruiter” is also my “evaluator”.

So what do you think so far, Raven?

Coincidence?

Or is he infatuated with “Raven”?

I think it would be nice to have a home again… and a warm meal.

How does being a “contractor” get me those things?

Well that depends on the skills that you can bring to the company that sponsors this little meeting.

What do you know about banks?

I used to have a checking account when I lived in Galaxy City.

Okay… well when you put money into a bank, you expect that bank to keep your money safe at all times.

Unfortunately, in Paragon City, there are over 5300 bank robberies every year. Over a hundred a week!

So obviously security is a big deal to these banks.

He made a reference about 5300 bank robberies. It sounded familiar. Where have I heard that statistic before?

20

What our sponsor does is they contract people as “Security consultants”, to test that bank’s security system.

Of course it’s done with the bank’s full cooperation, and we will train you on the essential details of the job.

Tell you what… why don’t you fill out this survey?

After that, if this is something you’re interested in by then, we’ll go from there to the training phase. Otherwise I’ll take you to the hotel, no harm, no foul.

I almost wanted to say no, just to see if he’d try anything if he took me to that hotel.

But I reminded myself that I am here to bust a whole group that recruit people to rob banks, not a single guy trying to take advantage of a “homeless woman”.

The survey had a lot of questions about the banking industry and whether or not I thought favorably about them.

Given the rhetoric the “General” used, I’m guessing they’re looking for people with similar views.

I didn’t have to wait long before I was asked to take part in the training phase.

Those of you here, congrats. You qualified for the training phase of this course.

First thing’s first… no names. You don’t know me and I don’t know you.

That means that the consultants have to operate without any means of Identification on them.

They don’t know who you are, and you don’t know who they are.

You will each be given a disposable phone and a three-digit number to be identified as when called.

Do not share this number with anyone!

Our sponsoring company prides itself on what they call “blind testing”.

All of the pieces are coming together for the eventual bust.

Burn phones, contact ID numbers…

21

Perez Park

I heard the Skulls whisper about the sewers.

“Something” chased out the Vahzilok that were hiding here.

“Something” that looked a certain hooded dark figure.

I hate working in the sewers.

The old walls and rusted pipes limit my hyper-senses.

And Jason knows this. That’s why I think that he chose…

Get out… now.

Jason? Where are you?

Leave me alone.

Let me do my job.

I can’t do that, Jason.

We need to talk.

We have nothing to say.

You made that clear when you disbanded the Guardians.

It wasn’t that simple, Jason. You know the details… you know what was at stake!*

(* “Guardians of the Dawn Aftermath”)

It’s always that simple.

You quit.

You gave in to the enemy, and now you’re doing their bidding.

I’m trying to save what’s left of the Guardians, Jason!

Your actions are causing trouble for us all!

His voice is echoing off the walls.

He could be twenty feet away… or even two city blocks away.

22

Great.

He’s gone silent.

This means he’s shadowing me, trying to see if I’m going to get frustrated and just leave if I can’t speak with him one-on-one.

Well that’s too bad for him, because I’m not leaving without seeing Jason in person.

I worked with Jason’s mentor, the first MidKnight, on our original world.

We couldn’t see eye-to-eye in every instance, but Damian Wilson earned my respect, and I earned his.

I thought that I earned Jason’s respect as well.

Then again, he never really was the same after coming back from the dead at the same moment that Damian perished.*

(* “Spotlight” #3)

He never can sleep longer than an hour or two at a time. He has no kind of a personal life.

He literally lived the life of a street vigilante twenty-four-seven.

I know what it’s like to live in the public eye twenty-four-seven, but even back then I managed to take some time away from being a hero to just be a man.

Jason was always pushing it, though, even more than Damian ever did.

Damian…

Of course!

What would Damian think of what you’ve become, Jason?

23

Damian would have never condoned what you’re doing, Jason.

He would have come to us for help before resorting to being seen as a criminal.

SHUT YOUR MOUTH, Powers!

You knew nothing about him!

Jason… my god.

What did you do to yourself?

You weren’t there when Damian made his last stand.

He had to die before you and your “League of champions” would step up!

He never came to us, Jason. We didn’t even know you were killed until after he had buried you in the family crypt.

Damian was my friend, and I would have been right there with him had I known about what was going on at the time!

I don’t want to have history repeat itself with you.

No, you made it worse.

You quit. You walked away!

Do you think that any of us wanted to simply disband and be done with the team?

Maximus, ‘Taya, Lyon, Ryder, S.J., Arachnia, they all wanted to stay and fight!

But you didn’t even want to hear the rest of our plan…

We didn’t have too many choices.

Alex would have lost the election if the news of his secret identity was revealed.

You walked out before I could tell you that The guardians are only disbanded on paper!

Jason Knight Aka MidKnight X

24

You’re lying!

It’s a small group right now. Galatea, Lyon, Cap, myself.

It’s Alex’s group, his idea, but I run it for him.

You know me better than that.

We created a ghost group.

We have other people helping out as well.

There’s a lot that I wish I could tell you is going on as well, but it all could be unraveled if we can’t get you to step back from your vendetta.

So you think dangling a smaller team in front of me is going to get me to compromise?

…

Follow me.

The coffin appeared to be all-wooden, but inside was like a giant cooler, preserving the contents inside as best as possible given the area.

Found the body under the Steel Canyon juncture, clogging up the scrubber.

Female, late twenties according to the bone structure. Bones were sliced clean with a laser-sharpened blade.

Could you identify her?

A plastic bag inside had the rest of the physical evidence, including snapshot photos of the discovery… and a blue leather work shoe.

25

No ID on her, but there was just enough physical evidence at the scene for me to conclude that she was “Agent Blue”, the shooter that tried to kill Alex.

You saw how the body was cut up.

That’s BloodBlader’s signature.

That’s how Shadowborn rewards failure.

And no doubt they’d distance themselves from that psychopath in a heartbeat if this got out.

But our “disbanding” doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped investigating them, Jason.

We will bring Shadowborn to justice, but we’ll do it right. And permanently.

But In order for us to do that, we need them to relax. Let them think they won.

Once they’ve lowered their defenses, then the people we have there now can get the evidence we need.

Funny… when I was in Prague, looking for Shodden Freud*, I asked myself how anyone could live like he did…

*heh* Now I know…

Meanwhile they send their pet psycho out to cover their tracks, like they did with Agent blue.

(* “Spotlight” #28)

Don’t make his mistake, Jason.

Don’t cut out your friends.

I don’t have friends… you know this, Powers.

I only have a need for Justice that cost me a city that I once protected.

Let me deal with the evidence, and we’ll add it to the dirt that we’ll use to bury Shadowborn.

Work with us, Jason. Please.

Then what you need to do next is Simple…

Take back your domain.

26

The next day…

No, they put me up at a hotel just down the street.

They gave me clean clothes, but I made sure to keep my belt with the camera.

I had to be careful with the makeup too.

Still need “Raven” to be seen as being destitute.

Sounds like you’re doing okay.

I ran the model number of your burn phone through the police database for you, and it came back to a cash purchase from a store kiosk.

Not surprised at that.

Hey, where are you calling from? It doesn’t sound like your office at S.E.R.A.P.H.

I’m… in the server area, finishing up on some updates.

Don’t worry, this phone is routed through a few relay centers to prevent it from being traced here.

I’m surprised there isn’t an app for anonymity already.

Hey, do you know if facial recognition had anything on the video I took of the recruiters?

Facial recognition came up empty. None of the recruiters have a police record.

But I do have something on the “Clean-up crew” that were bailed out in time for your recruitment meeting.

They were all bailed out by the law firm of Grizwald and Clark.

Private law firm with apparently only one client: Sovereign Insurance Company.

You may have heard their commercials talking about…

…”5300 Bank robberies every year!”

Of course!

27

That’s something you’re going to have to get your family to look in on.

“Raven” needs to be waiting to hear what her first “consulting assignment” will be from the mysterious caller.

So I suppose the next question to ask is… what is a law firm connected to an insurance company doing bailing out a clean-up crew trying to cover up a bank robbery scheme?

I’ll get them on it…

In the meanwh…

Hmm...

What is it?

News report from last night…

Seems a break-in in High Park was stopped by a so-called “Mystery man in black.”

Do you think it was Jason?

I hope so.

The media certainly wants it to be him, and that part of Kings Row is where Jason still has a safehouse.

It certainly would make our job a little easier knowing he’s not stalking Lord Geddy.

Then again, it could be Sin Stalker.

To us both, “Raven”. To us both.

I… Uh… have it on good authority that it’s not him.

Okay, we’re monitoring your burn phone, so when you get that call we’ll know who sends it.

Right. And hopefully the people on my end will be just as attentive.

Happy Hunting.

28

Again? Hello?

Hello?

Cr@P! It’s the other phone!

Operative 224, you have been selected for a blind test of a client’s service.

Do you have the required equipment?

Hello?

We did not ask you to recite the list, only that you have the required items.

Yes-or-no answers only.

Do you have the required equipment for the assignment?

Well if you mean dark clothing, pocket knife, pliers…

A van will meet you at midnight outside the Royal Flush Motel.

Do not be late.

Further details will be given inside the van.

Yes.

Captain Paragonna Surveillance notes:

1433 hours - Contacted by an anonymous caller on the disposable phone given to me by the “Recruiters”. The caller insisted on yes-or-no responses before giving directions for a meeting at midnight.

Call was traced to a relay service. Voice was digitally altered to avoid identification.

I may be forced to participate in a robbery, or at least be a party to one, before there is enough evidence for me to act as Captain PAragonna.

29

City Prosecutor’s Office

Well-Well…

Isn’t this a pleasant surprise…

Edward Vance Deputy District Attorney

Alice Banks Pro-Family Crusader

Hello Edward.

It’s been a while.

I was hoping that I could discuss a procedural matter with you.

Well if by “discuss” you mean as a prosecutor, then I’m afraid my hands are tied right now.

My past cases are being audited, and I can’t handle any new cases until those are cleared.

Yes, our new district attorney wasted no time in hamstringing you, didn’t he?*

Not something I would have done had I won the election.

(* “Aftermath”)

But I’m not here to play a game of “would’ve-Could’ve”.

I’m sure you’re aware of the special grand jury that I’ll be convening shortly concerning the Guardians of the Dawn and their underage apprentice, Pyrogurl.*

I’ve done Grand jury inquiries before with the Department of Justice, but I’m told the rules are a little different here in Paragon City.

(* Issue #1)

Well if you were hired like Noble Son was after the election*, you would have found out that the heroes here get a little more leeway in this city thanks to the precedence set by Statesman and his ilk.

The Federal Bureau For Super-Powered Affairs will actually bend over backward to protect those heroes.

(* Issue #1 again)

Yes… I’m well aware of this.

What can you tell me that I don’t know?

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However, I could tell you how I would “hypothetically” have handled things if I won the election.

For instance, “hypothetically”, I would have hired you on so you could conduct your grand jury with full prosecutorial powers.

Well… “Officially” I can’t give you any kind of help. “Officially”, this office cannot give you any kind of aid without taking over the grand jury itself, and our District Attorney has already refused to do that.*

(* Issue #2)

I see… so I guess we are playing “would’ve-Could’ve” after all.

So… what else “would” you have done?

“Hypothetically”… if I could help you…

I would find some way to get Pyrogurl back to Paragon City to testify and serve as your star witness.

If you were a DDA, that would be easy, but since you’re not, you have a thing called the “Citizen Crime-fighting Act” standing in the way.

Yes I know about that law. It gives registered heroes the same legal immunity as do police officers and most City Officials.

Which means I, as a citizen, can’t force her to come here to testify.

So how would you get around that?

Simple. Bring her here for a different reason.

A reason that would make her want to come back.

For instance, you may want to look at her first mission before she joined the Guardians.*

(* “Spotlight” #15)

I seem to remember hearing about an incident between Maximus Rex and a Freedom Corps officer in our preliminary investigation. I guess I should look further into that incident.

Thank you, Edward.

Glad I could be of “hypothetical” help, Alice.

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Kings Row - later that night…

“Midnight movie”, she texts…

“I’ll come pick you up”, she texts…

Riiiiiight…

“Wendy Slade” Aka BloodBlader

That’s because Ms. Maple never really texted you earlier.

I did.

Where are you Elle? You’ve never stood me up on a girls night out before now!

Oh baby...

Turn around.

You really know how to give a psycho an empty rush, don’t you?

Little phone games from Perez Park…

I don’t believe it…

I don’t F###ing believe it!

You know, you didn’t need the subterfuge if you wanted a rematch of our little fight. StarCygnus did cut in on our dance, after all.* I’ve been ready to continue the foreplay where we left off.

Here you are, all decked out for business, and I’m only dressed for a night out with the girls.

No leathers, no blades… I can’t even do the Boba thing, cuz I left my mask at home! Last time I make that mistake, I assure you!

(* “Spotlight” #22)

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You know, you clean up rather well. It took me three showers and two baths to get the sewer stench off me.

You, clean-shaven, smelling… well, neutral… And you even modified your outfit with Vanguard toys!

You’re going to deliver a message to your “mistress”.

I’m not finished with her or her boss, or with Shadowborn.

I’m taking Kings Row back from the thugs that have infested it in my absence.

Too many bodies have piled up here while I was away.

But that doesn’t mean I’m done finding all the skeletons in your group’s closet, including the ones you yourself added.

Hey, I resent that statement! She’s not my mistress!

(Maybe in some lurid fanfic story, but… never mind.)

MidKnight X Street Vigilante

Oh, you think you can frighten me with your bad-@ss outfit and your fearsome glare…

(come to think of it, that last part does sort of work…)

And I’d go running to Ms. Maple with your little message?

Well guess what? That just makes our destined rematch that much sweeter.

In fact, let’s go ahead and make a night out of this…

Stay here, I’ll get my blades…

Hey! I said “WAIT”!

You don’t get it…

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I’m not playing by your rules anymore.

My city, my rules.

This is your one and only warning.

Stay out of Kings Row.

All units, all units:

Bank alarm at Kings Row Bank.

All units respond.

Ooo… wh… where are… you… going… l… Lover?

We.. We’re just… getting… started…

Next Issue: Captain Paragonna… bank robber?

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From the desk of…

Kent PoderesKent PoderesKent PoderesKent Poderes

Technical Consultant

MidKnight X:

On my home world, MidKnight was a name that criminals feared.

The original MidKnight was Damian Wilson, the adopted son of a street cop that could no longer stand by and watch as hardened criminals literally got away with murder. He would put on a mask and body armor over a trenchcoat and put the fear of god into the hardened thugs that preyed on his neighborhood.

Pretty soon, gang members, drug dealers, and even some members of the mob got the message that Hell’s Kitchen no longer belonged to them.

Damian didn’t have any powers, but he did have military training, and he realized that drug dealers and gang members were no different than terrorists in the Middle East. He knew that as an ordinary person, he couldn’t employ the needed tactics against criminals. But as a street vigilante wearing a mask, he was more than willing and capable to dispense justice.

I worked with Damian on more than one occasion, and I considered him a friend and ally, even if we did not agree on his methods. I offered him membership in the premiere supergroup on our world, the League of Champions, but he refused every time.

Eventually Damian took in a young boy name Jason Rich, a child orphaned by a drunk driver. Jason wanted revenge against the driver, but after finding out that his father’s killer was himself killed, Jason felt cheated. Damian showed him how to turn that anger into a force for good, and even adopted Jason as his legal guardian.

In time, Damian began training Jason on his skills, but not to be a sidekick. In fact, Jason was forbidden to even operate in public, even in civilian attire. Damian realized that he was getting older and that eventually someone else would have to pick up where he left off, and he intended Jason to be his replacement.

Unfortunately that time came earlier than anyone expected.

A real estate mogul had plans for the city district under Damian’s protection, and spared no expense to get the area declared a disaster so he could claim the land cheap and make a fortune. When the mob refused to help him, he arranged for a prison breakout and the release of a destructive new drug that turned even first-time users into super-charged psychopaths. One of those psychopaths put Jason in an impossible situation, and he ended up sacrificing his life to save innocent civilians.

That sacrifice was Damian’s last straw. After burying his foster son in the family crypt, he went after the criminals head-on, giving everything he had until he himself was killed by the sheer number of rioters involved.

The word spread quickly that MidKnight was dead. But fate, it seems, had other plans.

Words of wisdom and reference from writer and creator David 2.

Continues on next page...

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Jason had a medallion given to him from his birth-mother. When Jason was killed, Damian carried it with him in his honor. The medallion was made from the same strange meteor rock that gave my family members (and various others on our planet) superhuman abilities.

When Damian died as MidKnight, his life-force went from the medallion back to Jason, bringing the young man back to life.

Bear in mind that none of us in the League of Champions knew any of this was happening until after news of the riot came out and a visibly disoriented Jason entered Damian’s base of operations. When rumors of Damian’s death hit the news, we put an end to the riots quickly, and it was Jason, now dressed as MidKnight, that brought down the mastermind of the whole operation.

But Jason’s death and return clearly changed him, and some would say not for the better.

His return gave him added abilities. He was sensitive to more mystical abilities. He could generate fear and terror in others. He could sap their strength and their will. He also became more nihilistic. He wasn’t afraid to die, because he believed there was nothing afterward. He joined the League, but only because he could not understand all that was happening to him after his resurrection.

When he came across to this world in 2007, he had little knowledge of who he was previously. He knew his name was Jason. He called himself MidKnight, but added an “X” to his name to reflect that unknown part of his life.

If anything, I believe that he became progressively worse in the transition. He admits he rarely sleeps. He has no kind of life outside of his never-ending crusade to purge the streets of criminals. I don’t even think that he thinks of himself as “Jason Knight” anymore, but rather as “MidKnight X” all the time.

Maybe a piece of Jason never came over to this world. Maybe all that was left of him was that endless bitter drive for justice. I would hope we would still find the man behind the urban legend before it becomes too late for either of them.

Continued from previous page...

Will Captain Paragonna be forced to commit a

crime in order to expose the secret behind

“General Income”? And what happens when a

returning MidKnight X gets involved?

And will Alice Banks succeed in bringing

Pyrogurl back to Paragon City so she

could be used to crush what’s left of the

Guardians?

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